✨ Some bright spots of 2021 to wrap up your year

Plus, where to find holiday lights and where to eat in the new year.

By Hannah Myrick

Welcome to Wednesday, Seattle.

Well, we’re here: the final Evergrey newsletter of 2021. It’s been a long, strange, winding road up to this point, but it feels good to still be here and sharing the magic of this city with you, our wonderful readers who keep this newsletter going.

Today’s edition is all about closing things out on a cheerful note, which is why the spotlight is on you, our awesome audience. Scroll on to read about the special things that stood out to Seattleites among the strangeness of 2021. Then, we’ll send you off with a few recommendations on how to spend the holidays.

Now without further ado…

2021, like the year before it, was definitely a weird one. Even so, Seattle found plenty of ways to keep its collective chin held high and maintain its lust for life.

Here’s what The Evergrey heard from all of you about the good that stood out in 2021…

💖 Our daughter adopted the two foster children — sisters — who were living with her. We are instant grandparents! Lucky kids, mom, and grandparents. It's a 2021 win, win, win! — Barbara F.

🤝 In 2021 I felt so isolated due to having multiple sclerosis during a pandemic, and I hit bottom with my depression. This led me to my biggest win of 2021: I realized I needed to find a way to socialize, so I joined an MS discord server and met a great friend, and I searched our virtual support groups and have been able to socialize with many people who “get me”. So I’m ending 2021 with several new friends and a more positive outlook than I’ve had in years! — Tiffany S.

🙌 Got a job I actually like! — @whitnuld

💜 I became a dad! — @jdgmore

🌴 We left the grey skies of the PNW and retired in paradise in Costa Rica. — @debdtls

🎁 My friend made me a bracelet. — @Kucukdenizkedi

💘 My nephew and his GF finally got married after 10 years together and I was there. — @wahistorian

🌲 I moved away the summer of 1996. And now I’m back and couldn’t be happier. — @amespnw

☀️ I married my best friend after 7 years together! 🥰 It was on a beautiful Seattle summer day, with local seafood, right on the shore of South Lake Union! — @Sarahmills.821

🍰 Launched my home bakery! — @bakelicioussweets

💍 GOT ENGAGED TO THE LOVE OF MY LIFE, this South Seattle born and raised baby @rkng87 — @Tashafoya

🎈I was able to celebrate my Grandma’s 101st birthday with her in person. — Staci H.

😊 Good happenings still come in small packages, in this case, the birth of our first grandson, who’s brightened every day of this year with his openness, curiosity, and cheerful conversation. — Judy M.

Big things, little things, healthy habits, good news — thank you for sharing your stories with us and helping us to send this year off on a happy note. 💘

Another bright spot of 2021 — nature’s still gonna nature. The Columbia River Gorge is just doing its thing out there. | Tag @the_evergrey or use #theevergrey to be featured in our Instagram of the Day. (📸: @brendanramseyphotography)

We don’t have headlines today but…

Since this is our last newsletter of the year, we’ve compiled a few recommendations on how you can spend the rest of 2021, and ring in 2022 with good cheer.

🍽️ If you’re looking for some places to eat and drink during the holidays, either in a restaurant or in the comfort of your own home, this list by Everout is for you — it’s even categorized by what’s best for which holiday. Then check out Seattle Met’s list of places to be for the new year including a couple of places to brunch on the first day of 2022.

✨ Taking a stroll through the neighborhood? We’ve highlighted quite a few lists of Seattle neighborhood light displays, but here’s a list from Patch featuring displays closer to the eastside. Shoutout to reader Christine Z for the recommendation!

🚗 Want to get away from it all and find some peace and quiet? Search this Seattle Met weekend getaway list by road trip, foodie stops, nature, great hotels, and more to find your perfect winter adventure spot.

Things to do

Submit your events to our calendar.

Today

🎶 Sing along to over 30 of your favorite Christmas tunes while watching the accompanying music videos at Central Cinema (Central District)

Tomorrow

🛍 Gift procrastinators this is for you! Georgetown's Trailer Park Mall is hosting Procrastination Lane, a night market with all sorts of vendors (Georgetown)

Saturday

🎉 Join a "Fiddler on the Roof" sing-along, complete with free Chinese Food, at the SIFF Uptown Cinema (Seattle Center)

Sunday

🍎 Shop for your local produce, cheese and beyond at the West Seattle Farmer's Market (West Seattle)

🎶 Relive the music of jazz legend Duke Ellington, performed by the Seattle Repertory Jazz Orchestra, including vocalists and a tap dancer (First Hill)

🎩It’s the last day to catch ACT Theatre’s version of the Dickens classic, "A Christmas Carol" (Downtown)

Monday

🌺 Learn to hula and the storytelling history behind the movements (Downtown)

🎶 Another night, another chance to dance to Motown music, at Barboza’s for Motown Monday (Capitol Hill)

Tuesday

🕯 End 2021 on a good scent and check out the candle pop-up shop Cancelled Plans at Periodic (South Lake Union)

🎟 Check out STG and The Paramount Theatre's presentation of the classic "My Fair Lady," playing Dec. 28 thru Jan. 2. (Downtown)

Wednesday, Dec. 29

✨Drive around the Bothell, Kenmore, Lake Forest Park, and Shoreline area, where residents are competing to see who has the area’s best light display (North Seattle)

Friday, Dec. 31

🎶 Ring in the New Year with Tennis Pro, Upset the Children, and Chance to Steal (U District)

🍻Head on over to Queen Anne Beerhall to watch Seattle Center’s virtual fireworks show for free (Queen Anne)

🕺Put on your skates and roll your way into the new year at Southgate Roller Rink’s Roller Disco (White Center)

Saturday, Jan. 1

🥶 Shock your system into the new year and do the DIY Polar Bear Plunge, with special gear created by Meadowbrook Pool (North Seattle)

One last thing…

Before this newsletter says goodbye for the very last time in 2021, there’s one question begging to be asked: what’s on your to-do list for 2022?

This is a reminder that The Evergrey wants to hear all about what you’re looking forward to, your big plans, and your Seattle-related goals for the new year. You can share your 2022 hopes and dreams by commenting on The Evergrey’s Instagram page, replying to this newsletter, or sending an email with the subject line “Seattle 2022 must-do list” to hello@theevergrey.com. I can’t wait to get a sneak peek at all of the cool things you’ll be up to next year.

Enjoy the holidays, stay safe, have a very merry New Year, and see you all in 2022.

— Hannah at The Evergrey

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